10 replies to this topic

[zencat]

Could "THE ROUGH WITH THE SMOOTH" be the title of Bond 20? I think it might be a working title at least. Hardcore Fleming fans know this was a title he tried to use from time to time. He considered calling Casino Royale "The Rough With The Smooth" (a reference to a line in the opening chapter), and I think he considered it for the short story For Your Eyes Only.

But why do I think this could be the Bond 20 title?

Because not long ago there was a Pierce Brosnan interview done in the London Times and the title of the interview was "Talking the Rough With The Smoothie." Now, either this journalist is a hardcore Fleming buff, or someone on that set mentioned the title "The Rough With The Smooth." Probably Pierce. This is exactly what he did with The World is Not Enough. Pierce and the writers wanted this title, the studio didn't, but Pierce just kept saying it in interviews and eventually it was accepted.

Personally, I like the title "The Rough With The Smooth," but I think they'll opt for a one word title this time. It just a feeling.

[Blue Eyes]

I hope Benson uses it, would be a good homage. But still there's the Bond 20 possibility. It's an interesting one. The first draft was completed as of February so that could indicate that Brosnan had seen the title as a working title and perhaps mentioned in somewhere in the interview? That's reaching but an interesting theory.

[Jacques Nexus]

I don't think it will turn up as Bond 20's title. The reference to Brosnan's interview was probably just a smart headline by the interviewer, and after all, Brosnan is a "smoothie". Just to clear up things, THE ROUGH WITH THE SMOOTH was Fleming's alternative title for the FYEO book (not a bad title for a short story collection), not for the FYEO short story, and as far as I know the phrase did not turn up in the CR novel.

[Blue Eyes]

That's an interesting idea Nexus. If they are as interesting in Fleming's Bond as they claim to be then this is one of the best ways to pay homage!

[Blue Eyes]

I'd say about 40% of interviews never make it to print anyway. Especially written ones. They get cut up so the article makes sense and at the end of it there's only about 2 minutes of dialogue.

[Jacques Nexus]

Did Brosnan actually say the words "THE ROUGH WITH THE SMOOTH" in any context in the interview ?...or was it a smart headline by the interviewer ?...Anyway, I'll be surprised if EON is conscious of this bit of Fleming trivia...still though...it's not a bad title for Bond 20.

[Blue Eyes]

That's an interesting notion. It's not something that's come across my desk before. Apparently, though, all the movies use the working title 'Shaken Not Stirred' before they get a proper title.

I wonder if they're considering it based on the fact it's Bond 20?!? And like a huge moment in history?

[Jacques Nexus]

zencat (09 Jun, 2001 06:31 p.m.):
...THE ROUGH WITH THE SMOOTH... It is a good title... Hey, maybe Raymond Benson will use it for HIS short story collection?

I think you are right; the title will probably show up on Benson's short story collection. That's an inspired idea on your part. I tried once to think up a title based on the 3 short stories:
"BLAST DOOM FIVE".

[zencat]

Brosnan didn't say it in the context of the WRITTEN interview...but he could have said it "off the record." If not, were did this reporter get it? If it's just a coincidence, it's a big one. Or is this a phase that's used frequently in the UK?

[zencat]

Jacques Nexus (09 Jun, 2001 12:28 p.m.):
Just to clear up things, THE ROUGH WITH THE SMOOTH was Fleming's alternative title for the FYEO book (not a bad title for a short story collection), not for the FYEO short story, and as far as I know the phrase did not turn up in the CR novel.

Thanks for clearing that up, Nexus. The book, not the short story. Right. It is a good title... Hey, maybe Raymond Benson will use it for HIS short story collection?

Now why did I think The Rough With The Smooth showed up in Casino Royale? I gotta stop smoking all that crack!

[Jacques Nexus]

After reading the P & W interview I can't help feeling that the Bond 20 title will be
THE ROUGH WITH THE SMOOTH. It seems to fit in with the 'Flemingnising' angle and it sums up 007's life perfectly.